Ask an Analyst: Santa Rosa Mismatch?

This question from reader Alfred came in for PC Magazine’s lead analyst for laptops, Cisco Cheng:
With the whole mobile Intel platform moving to an 800-Mhz Front Side Bus (FSB), when will I be able to purchase a laptop that will support 800-Mhz SODIMMs? Right now, there’s a mismatch between the FSB and memory speeds (667 Mhz). Also, would that account for the lackluster performance numbers I’ve been seeing with the newer Intel chips?
Cisco’s answer after the jump.

Cisco Cheng: You’re referring to the Santa Rosa Platform in laptops. Even if manufacturers made RAM sticks that support 800 Mhz, the current platform will not support it. I asked the same question when I met up with Intel earlier this year.
You’re right in the sense that faster RAM will boost performance, so it’s not all about capacity. Furthermore, there will be a mismatch with the next platform (codename Montevina), which will support a 1066-MHz FSB–and memory speeds may or may not hit retail at 800 Mhz.